Bob Ferguson Elected Governor of Washington

Democrat Bob Ferguson has been elected governor of Washington, defeating Republican Dave Reichert, as reported by multiple sources including the Associated Press. Ferguson, who has served as Washington's attorney general since 2013, gained national attention for his legal actions against the Trump administration, notably stopping Trump's initial travel ban. This victory marks the 11th consecutive gubernatorial win for Democrats in Washington, a state that hasn't had a Republican governor since 1985. Ferguson's campaign focused on issues such as abortion rights and gun control, while he criticized Reichert's congressional votes on abortion bans. Reichert, a former King County sheriff and U.S. Representative, emphasized his law enforcement background and criticized Ferguson's past positions on drug decriminalization. The gubernatorial race was a significant political event following Jay Inslee's decision not to seek a fourth term.